SCHOOL ASSOCIATION FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION IN DUPAGE
SASED Supports National Autism Awareness Month (April 2013)
Posted March 12, 2013
Since the 1970s National Autism Awareness Month has been celebrated in the United States.
For the sixth year, the international autism community will celebrate in recognition of the
United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. “Light It Up Blue” is a
unique global initiative that kicks-off Autism Awareness Month and helps raise awareness
about autism. In honor of this historic day, many iconic landmarks, hotels, sporting venues,
concert halls, museums, bridges and retail stores throughout the country will unite with the
hundreds of thousands of homes and communities that take part to “Light It Up Blue”.
This April, SASED will join this national event to highlight the growing need for concern and
awareness about autism. Exciting SASED activities include:
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At each of our sites, SASED schools are commemorating Autism Awareness on April 2nd
by designating a DRESS IN BLUE DAY. We also will be promoting awareness through a bulletin board that will
have information about Autism and original student art work.
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The STARS team will be participating in the larger Autism Walk in May at Solider Field
http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1041426
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Participation in a local Autism Awareness walk in Hinsdale, IL is being organized for the end of April
http://www.thecommunityhouse.org/news-events/charlies-gift-austim-walk/.
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Some schools are bringing in a celebration lunch for the staff, while they are able to view a short video about
Autism called, Normal People Scare Me. You can view a portion of this at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYu-s8VVCKk. Normal People Scare Me: A Film about Autism is a
documentary film about autism, produced by Joey Travolta, older brother of actor John Travolta. The
documentary initially began as a 10-minute short film co-directed by an autistic teenager named Taylor Cross, and
his mother Keri Bowers.
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At one site, SASED is making available the rare opportunity for teachers to come and visit in our classrooms. We
are offering to substitute our certified teacher paraprofessionals for teachers, so they may catch a brief glimpse of
some of the great skills our students display in the classroom.
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SASED’s commemorative activities will include giving back to the community by selling Autism Awareness
wristbands with the proceeds going to the organization, Autism Speaks. The wristbands are available for $2 by
contacting Sheila Feldbaumer or any STARS team member at 630/629-2806.
Did you know...
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Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys
Autism prevalence figures are growing
Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average
Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases
Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism
There is no medical detection or cure for autism